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Strumenti digitali per i percorsi di visita della Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi: Residenza Sabauda e Museo dell'Ammobiliamento

Residences of the Royal House of Savoy — 2026 — WHE4932CFD556

A digital platform, 'Collezioni in Ordine,' has been developed to enhance visitor engagement at the Stupinigi Hunting Lodge, a UNESCO-listed Savoy Residence and Italy's first Furniture Museum. This tool integrates historical inventories, restoration data, and augmented reality (AR) to provide immersive experiences that distinguish between the lodge's courtly history and its museum function. By leveraging QR codes and AR totems, visitors can explore the evolution of rooms across different periods, access multilingual conservation insights, and engage with interactive narratives about the residence's protagonists. The platform also connects with digital archives from the 'La Venaria Reale' Conservation and Restoration Centre, ensuring universal accessibility to scientific data through easy-to-read translations. This approach resolves longstanding challenges in cataloging and public engagement while setting a precedent for integrating advanced digital tools in heritage conservation.

Study of contortion in the Qin and Han dynasties: insights from pit K9901

Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor — 2026 — WHEAD9E73E228

A groundbreaking analysis of Figurine No. 28 from Pit K9901 at the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor reveals that contortion techniques in Qin-Han dynasties were likely influenced by Western acrobatic traditions, challenging long-held assumptions about their origins. This study provides the first archaeological evidence linking early Chinese contortion to foreign cultural exchanges, tracing its evolution through regional adaptations. Researchers examined the figurine's physical stance and compared it with known Western contortion practices, offering new insights into ancient East-West interactions, burial beliefs, and the development of acrobatics in Chinese society. The findings bridge a critical gap in archaeological research on this understudied but culturally significant practice.

Study on emergency evacuation behavior in heritage tourism destinations based on agent-based modeling: the case of Gulangyu, China

Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement — 2026 — WHE42FD4A3C7A

A comprehensive study on emergency evacuation behavior in heritage tourism destinations, using Kulangsu's Gulangyu Island as a case study, reveals that enhancing building resilience and strategic signage can significantly improve evacuation efficiency by up to 79.6%. The research, combining seismic vulnerability assessments, field experiments, and agent-based simulations, found that panic responses, hesitation, and group behavior substantially impact evacuation outcomes. Under a seismic intensity VII scenario, most buildings remained intact or slightly damaged, but human factors like sustained tachycardia (indicative of panic) and group evacuation were prevalent. Simulations demonstrated that stronger heritage conservation measures and optimized signage could drastically reduce the number of remaining evacuees, providing critical insights for emergency management in complex historic districts.

Study on the biological communities and bioweathering of the marble surfaces of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven (Beijing, China)

Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing — 2026 — WHE8B5078B83A

A study of the marble surfaces at Beijing's Temple of Heaven reveals that biological weathering varies significantly by surface orientation, with south-facing surfaces experiencing the most intense degradation. Dominated by aerophytic cyanobacteria and mosses, these communities thrive in calcareous environments, exhibiting distinct compositions based on exposure to sunlight, humidity, and temperature. The research identifies 'Cloud Chi Heads' weathering patterns, linked to micro-topographical features that influence water retention and microbial colonization. Cyanobacteria secrete organic acids, dissolving inorganic salts and progressively eroding the marble. Preventing their growth is critical to mitigating weathering in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Study the State of Architectural Changes in Residential Buildings in the UA World Heritage Area in Luang Prabang City

Town of Luang Prabang — 2026 — WHE8360399852

Architectural changes in residential buildings within Luang Prabang's Old Town Conservation Zone (UA) follow distinct phases shaped by economic growth, tourism expansion, and regulatory measures. Phase I (1995–2005) marked the initial stage of conservation with noticeable exterior and interior modifications. Phase II (2005–2015), driven by economic incentives, saw functional transformations, complex interior changes, and the use of substitute materials. Phase III (2015–present) reflects stricter management, integration of old and new buildings, and challenges from aging structures and technological systems. The study, based on five residential houses in Pa Kham Village, analyzed empirical data to interpret architectural characteristics across these periods.

SubD and traditional modelling techniques for Gothic architecture: insights from the Founder’s Chapel into HBIM integration

Monastery of Batalha — 2026 — WHE193021D210

A hybrid approach combining parametric modelling with SubD, NURBS, and mesh-based techniques emerges as the optimal strategy for documenting complex Gothic architecture, such as the Founder’s Chapel at the Monastery of Batalha. This study demonstrates that while parametric modelling excels in adaptability and integration with surrounding elements, SubD offers a novel, highly efficient method for capturing intricate vaulted geometries with high accuracy. The research, leveraging terrestrial laser scanning point cloud data, evaluated geometric accuracy, time efficiency, and model flexibility across four techniques, revealing that project-specific requirements should guide the selection of modelling approaches rather than technical preferences alone. This integrated strategy enhances documentation fidelity while emphasizing the need for improved interoperability between HBIM methods.

Survival in uncertainty: Population dynamics of a key Endangered leopard population in West Africa amid escalating security challenges

W-Arly-Pendjari Complex — 2026 — WHE26B9551EAE

A critical leopard population in West Africa, one of the last strongholds for the Endangered species, is showing signs of recovery despite persistent security threats. Camera-trap surveys conducted biennially from 2017 to 2023 in Pendjari National Park within the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) Complex revealed a rise in leopard density from 0.62 to 2.08 individuals per 100 km², with moderate survival rates and sufficient recruitment to sustain population growth. While nocturnal activity dominates, diurnal behavior has increased over time, suggesting potential adaptation or behavioral shifts. The study attributes this recovery to strengthened park protection measures since 2017, though it highlights alarming trends such as a lack of cub detection and rising illegal incursions, particularly poaching, which pose significant risks. Safeguarding this population requires urgent, integrated strategies including cross-border collaboration, enhanced protection of neighboring parks, community engagement, and equitable resource governance to mitigate escalating security challenges.

Sustainability at Crossroads: The Interplay of Ethnic Diversity, Livelihoods, and Natural Resource Management in Enclave Villages of Lake Malawi National Park

Lake Malawi National Park — 2026 — WHE348DED252D

Ethnic diversity within Lake Malawi National Park's enclave villages plays a pivotal role in fostering resilient and inclusive sustainability pathways. This study reveals that such diversity facilitates the exchange of fishing techniques, farming skills, ecological knowledge, and market linkages, enabling households to develop plural and seasonally adaptive livelihood portfolios. While these practices contribute to diversified resource use—combining fishing, agriculture, tourism, petty trade, and forest use—they also exert significant pressure on local fish stocks, forests, and agricultural land. The research highlights the potential for more inclusive co-management through emerging community-based institutions and collaborative initiatives, which are increasingly facilitating coordination, rule-making, and shared stewardship. By integrating collaboration theory, social-ecological systems frameworks, and scholarship on social differentiation, this study offers practical and conceptual insights for balancing resource-dependent livelihoods with conservation in socially diverse human–nature landscapes.

Sustainability communication through interpretation in built cultural heritage sites: a comparative assessment of the ark palace (Bukhara, Uzbekistan) and Bratislava castle (Slovakia)

Historic Centre of Bukhara — 2026 — WHECD2B213A71

A comparative analysis of sustainability communication at two fortified palace complexes reveals significant gaps between potential and actual interpretive content. The study, using an original Sustainability Technical Communication (STC) framework with 36 variables across four dimensions—interpretation technical conditions, environmental, socio-cultural, and economic sustainability—found that only about half of the sustainability information (53.9% at Ark Palace in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, and 60.9% at Bratislava Castle, Slovakia) was actively communicated to visitors despite higher overall scores (75.9% and 76.7%, respectively). Notably, waste management, energy saving, and carbon footprint reduction were entirely absent from interpretive means at both sites. The research highlights the need for sustainability interpretation plans aligned with international guidelines, operational integration of environmental content, and a shift toward participatory and awareness-raising approaches over purely informational ones.

Sustainability Indicators and Comparative Analysis of the Durmitor National Park in a Regional and European Context

Durmitor National Park — 2026 — WHE32204E93AB

Durmitor National Park demonstrates a high level of sustainability in its management, particularly when compared to other European and regional protected areas. The study identifies key indicators that contribute to its robust sustainability performance, including effective governance structures, ecological integrity, and visitor management strategies. Researchers employed a comparative analysis framework, evaluating Durmitor against established benchmarks for UNESCO World Heritage Sites and other national parks in Europe. This approach revealed strengths in biodiversity conservation and adaptive tourism practices, positioning Durmitor as a model for sustainable park management in the region.

Sustainable Conservation Livelihood activity: A case from the Royal Manas National Park, Bhutan.

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary — 2026 — WHED6F331DABC

A five-year evaluation of Bhutan's Jersey calf-sharing scheme in the Royal Manas National Park revealed significant conservation and livelihood benefits. The initiative, which distributed seed cows to 56 households with the condition to share female offspring, led to a 43.6% increase in Jersey cows, reduced forest grazing, lower livestock losses to carnivores, and improved dairy income. This approach also fostered equitable benefit sharing, strengthened community engagement, and promoted positive conservation attitudes. The study highlights the potential of such schemes as sustainable tools for balancing livelihood needs with wildlife conservation, particularly in multiple-use zones where human-wildlife interactions pose challenges.

Sustainable fishing

Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera — 2026 — WHE4C4033E4AD

Fisheries worldwide face existential threats from overexploitation, habitat degradation, marine pollution, and climate change, as underscored during the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice. This study highlights that achieving sustainability requires more than ecological solutions alone—it demands interdisciplinary collaboration and context-specific strategies. By synthesizing contemporary fisheries research, it identifies critical gaps and emphasizes the need for inclusive approaches to address the complex challenges threatening aquatic ecosystems globally.

Sustainable Rural Tourism Development Proposal at Mission Espada in San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio Missions — 2026 — WHE6F9F27515B

A sustainable rural tourism model at Mission Espada, Texas, aims to diversify urban-centric tourism and revitalize the local agrarian economy. The proposal focuses on a 612-hectare site accessible via a scenic, low-traffic road from Mission Espada, offering tourists an immersive experience of Texas's rural life, including agriculture, dairy, livestock, and equestrian activities. This approach seeks to reverse rural-to-urban migration by creating employment opportunities and supporting small businesses while preserving cultural heritage. The development leverages the site's proximity to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ensuring accessibility and sustainability.

Sustaining the past, shaping the future

Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna — 2026 — WHED8F3D8947F

Balancing heritage conservation with sustainable tourism development is critical for Mediterranean World Heritage Sites (WHS), yet current management models often fall short. A comparative study of the Episcopal Complex of the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, Croatia, and Ravenna’s Early Christian Monuments reveals key strengths and weaknesses in governance structures, stakeholder engagement, and conservation strategies. Innovative practices identified—such as integrating local community input through surveys—offer actionable lessons for improving WHS management across the region. By analyzing qualitative data from management plans and expert interviews, this research highlights the need to reassess traditional approaches to ensure long-term sustainability without compromising cultural integrity.

Suwon Hwaseong and New Town Idea as Cultural Contents : Methodological Suggestions

Hwaseong Fortress — 2026 — WHE0D077F65BF

Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, reflecting King Jeongjo's innovative urban planning, presents challenges in understanding its integration into his broader 'New Town Idea' as a cultural and visual concept. To address this, the study proposes a methodological approach combining Siegfried Kracauer’s surface media theory and Michel de Certeau’s inductive spatial theory. These theories offer new perspectives: Kracauer’s framework uncovers pre-modern ideological myths by analyzing surfaces, while Certeau’s everyday spatial experiences challenge mainstream notions of place and power. By ensuring hermeneutic reversibility between narrative and representation through these lenses, the study enriches the practical interpretation of Suwon Hwaseong and its urban ideology, building on existing scholarly maturity in this field.

SWAC: Sea Water Air Conditioning potential for sustainable energy saving cooling sultanate of Oman 2010–2025

Ancient City of Qalhat — 2026 — WHE33EBC06731

Seawater Air Conditioning (SWAC) emerges as a viable solution for sustainable cooling in Oman, offering significant energy savings and reduced carbon emissions. A techno-economic evaluation at the Al Jissah-Yitti site in Muscat demonstrated that implementing a 15,000 TR SWAC system could slash power consumption to just 1 MW compared to conventional air conditioning, with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of $0.019/kWh, a return on investment of 26.7%, and a payback period of 4.6 years. Similar benefits were projected for a proposed datacenter in Quriyat/Qalhat, with potential net-zero emissions and 70% lower operational expenses (OPEX) than conventional cooling systems. This pioneering study assesses SWAC's feasibility, technical viability, and economic potential in Oman, marking the first comprehensive analysis of its kind in the region and supporting Oman's net-zero emission goals by 2050.

Tabique buildings heritage in the Alto Douro Wine Region, Portugal

Alto Douro Wine Region — 2026 — WHE32799C8210

A comprehensive analysis of Tabique buildings in the UNESCO-listed Alto Douro Wine Region reveals that despite visible deterioration, these traditional timber-framed structures retain robust mechanical performance and structural integrity. The study, combining fieldwork, laboratory testing, numerical modeling, and statistical surveys, demonstrates that Tabique buildings exhibit satisfactory vertical load-bearing capacity, fire resistance, and thermal performance. However, it highlights a critical issue: current rehabilitation practices often involve the replacement of original timber systems with reinforced concrete or steel, which risks compromising heritage value. The research proposes a practitioner-oriented workflow for structural assessment and conservation, emphasizing the need for specialized preservation approaches that balance structural safety, regulatory compliance, and the protection of traditional construction techniques. This work provides a scientific foundation for sustainable interventions aimed at preserving the unique architectural legacy of the Alto Douro landscape.

Tactics of Resistance: Palestinian Women and the Reclamation of Space in the Old City of Hebron, Palestine

Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town — 2026 — WHE47EE0DEC0A

Palestinian women in Hebron's Old City employ everyday resistance tactics to reclaim and revitalize urban space despite severe spatial fragmentation imposed by Israeli occupation. This study highlights their pivotal role in challenging urbicide through professional initiatives and daily practices, asserting their right to the city. The research combines situated knowledge with archival data, site observations, social media analysis, and reports from organizations like the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee and UN-OCHA, offering a nuanced understanding of resilience in oppressive socio-spatial conditions.

Taj Mahal conservation and the scope of electromagnetic sensing

Taj Mahal — 2026 — WHE2B8F174A92

Electromagnetic sensing techniques, including micro-Raman spectroscopy and terahertz (THz) imaging, offer a rapid and reliable method for detecting surface and sub-surface damage in marble structures like the Taj Mahal. This approach, tested on white slabs with ornamental motifs similar to those at the site, successfully mapped minute changes caused by sulfur, organic materials, and water damage with high accuracy. By providing objective, non-invasive assessments, these techniques could significantly reduce the time-consuming and subjective nature of traditional visual evaluations, leading to more efficient and cost-effective conservation efforts for cultural heritage sites.

Tangible cultural heritage in the Botna river basin

Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia — 2026 — WHE8B3E276850

A comprehensive inventory of the Botna River basin's tangible cultural heritage, encompassing 157 sites with over one-third being archaeological, reveals significant potential for UNESCO World Heritage nomination. The research, leveraging official databases and advanced methodologies including drone imagery and QGIS analysis, highlights the basin's underappreciated historical and geographical diversity. Notably, some identified sites may strengthen the cross-border significance of Trajan's Wall, aligning with Romania's existing 'Frontiers of the Roman Empire – Dacia' UNESCO listing (2024). This study underscores the basin's value for heritage promotion and valorization.